He was born in, Cairo, Egypt to a Jewish family with one brother and one sister, Leon and Brigitte, but raised in New York City, where his family had moved after living on Lafayette Avenue in Buffalo, New York while he was still a child. When asked if he was related to American fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi (born October 14, 1961) he responded, "No. Only in spirit." Before joining the New York Dolls in 1971, Sylvain was a member of the band Actress, also featuring Dolls Johnny Thunders and Billy Murcia. He played guitar in the proto-punk group the New York Dolls (replacing Rick Rivets), from 1971 until the group's final dissolution in 1975. Sylvain and singer David Johansen were the last remaining members at the time the group broke up. After the dissolution of the Dolls, he frequently played with Johansen in his solo project. He started his own solo project, "The Criminals" with another ex-Doll, Tony Machine and continued to play the New York club scene. He landed a solo recording contract with RCA, and released one album with Lee Crystal (drums; later of Joan Jett's Blackhearts) and Johnny Rao (guitar) as his backing band. For a period, he also drove a cab in New York City. He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1990s and recorded one record, Sleep Baby Doll for Fishead Records. His band mates on this record were: Brian Keats, drums (Dave Vanian's Phantom Chords), Speediejohn Carlucci on bass (formerly of The Fuzztones/Speedies) & Olivier LeBaron' on lead guitar. There were guest appearances by Frank Infante of Blondie & Derwood Andrews of Generation X. This record was re-released as "New York's Au Go Go". He now plays once again with David Johansen in the reformed New York Dolls.
As of November, 2006, he is currently on tour with the New York Dolls in the "Little Steven's Underground Garage Rolling Rock and Roll Show," featuring not only the Dolls but several other rock bands as well as go-go dancers.
Formidable
Sylvain Sylvain Lyrics
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She says your pregnant
And you′re so afraid to come home
You saw a doctor the other day
And he told you he could take your pain away
Don't you do it, don′t you dare
This is something we can learn to share
'Cause I love you and there's no turning back
Before I start to shout and scream
Don′t you take my dream
Don′t take back your love
Tu es formidable
Tu es formidable
Tu es formidable
I'll get a job to take care of you
Yes Darlin′ we can see this through
We'll get a place where we all can live
Ooh darlin′ we got so much to give
And we can grow with time
Put our love on the line
Don't you turn your back on love
Tu es for me Love
Tu es formidable
Tu es for me Love
Tu es formidable
Tu es for me love
Tu es formidable
Tu es for me love
Don′t be selfish, let's be true
We'll have something, a part that′s me and you
If it′s a boy, we'll will dress him up in blue
And the girls will be as cute as you
Before we kill this chance and ruin romance
Don′t you turn your back on love
Tu es for me Love
Tu es formidable
Tu es for me Love
Tu es formidable
Tu es for me love
Tu es formidable
Tu es for me Love
The lyrics of Sylvain Sylvain's song "Formidable" tell the story of a pregnant woman who is afraid to come home and faces the temptation of having an abortion. The singer begs her not to do it, telling her that they can learn to share and grow together even if it will be difficult. He promises to take care of her and their child and to make a life for them both.
The message is one of love and commitment, emphasizing the importance of standing by those you love, even in difficult situations. It also addresses the topic of abortion and the emotional impact it can have on those involved. The singer urges the woman to consider the long-term consequences of her decision, and to choose to keep their child and to build a life together.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of determination and hopefulness in the face of adversity, reminding listeners of the power of love and the importance of sticking together through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
I called you mother on the telephone
I spoke to your mother on the phone
She says you're pregnant
Your mother told me that you're pregnant
And you're so afraid to come home
You're scared to come home
You saw a doctor the other day
You visited the doctor recently
And he told you he could take your pain away
The doctor said he could help you with your pain
Don't you do it, don't you dare
Don't take any drastic steps
This is something we can learn to share
We can handle this together
Stop this drama, stop this act
Stop being dramatic
'Cause I love you and there's no turning back
I love you and we can't go back
Before I start to shout and scream
Before I get angry
Don't you take my dream
Don't ruin our plans
Don't take back your love
Don't fall out of love with me
Tu es formidable
You're amazing
I'll get a job to take care of you
I'll get a job to support you
Yes Darlin' we can see this through
We can handle this together
We'll get a place where we all can live
We'll find a place to live as a family
Ooh darlin' we got so much to give
We have so much love to share
And we can grow with time
We can build our future together
Put our love on the line
We should be committed to each other
Don't you turn your back on love
Don't leave me
Tu es for me Love
You're the one I love
Don't be selfish, let's be true
Let's be honest with each other
We'll have something, a part that's me and you
We'll have something special between us
If it's a boy, we'll will dress him up in blue
If we have a boy, we'll dress him in blue
And the girls will be as cute as you
Our daughters will be as lovely as you
Before we kill this chance and ruin romance
Before we mess this up
Tu es for me Love
You're the one I love
Tu es formidable
You're amazing
Tu es for me Love
You're the one I love
Tu es formidable
You're amazing
Tu es for me love
You're the one I love
Writer(s): David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain
Contributed by Nolan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.